Megan There being a Greg and a Nick is a coincedence….I just happened to like the name Nick before I even put Greg Sanders in the story…lol….

Tonight I've had this story up for two weeks….and this is the sixth chapter….I'm impressed with myself…I didn't think I'd get so far so soon!

Chapter Six

Kate slipped past her mother as she came home from school that day. Up in her room, she thought about what Nick and she had discussed. He was going to graduate, join the Marines, and after boot camp, they were going to run away and get married. Kate could continue her high school and maybe even her college education.

A tap sounded on the door, and Kate involuntarly froze, and relaxed as Brett slipped in.

"Hey, sis……you feeling better?"

Kate paused. She could confide in Brett, he was her twin, and her best firend besides Nick. Of course, it would tear her apart to be ripped away from the family she loved so much, but one day things could change. One day…well, when she was married Nick would have the law on his side. And be her husband. Perry couldn't hurt her then. Yet if she told Brett, he might tell Mom. Who couldn't know. At all.

"Yeah, Brett, thanks. Just some girl problems," she said with a toss of her head.

Brett made a face and backed off. "Maybe I should leave you alone then!"

Kate grinned. "Not all that bad…….Brett?"

"Yeah?"

She hesitated. "You are a great brother, you know that?"

"Of course I know that."

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Nick walked home from school slowly. He had reluctantly let Kate go home, after she had reassured him that her dad was not in town. He sighed. Had he really just asked Kate to marry him? When he was so unprepared for marriage? He was eighteen, and his parents would support his decisions if they knew why. Only, Kate had made him swear not to tell. His option was to be on hjs own. With Kate.

It was just a week before graduation, and he had boot camp to complete. While that was going on, Kate could use his college savings to rent a room. They could be transferred to military housing soon enough, and have a real home.

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"Greg Sanders, you had better not touch this cake!" Kate slapped her brother's hand away viciusly, as she spread icing on a cake for Greg and Nick's combined graduation party. The two had just come to the Sanders' home after the ceremonies, and Greg was anxious as he watched his mom and sister prepare the food.

"Mom, are you sure Kate can do this right?"

Maria laughed. The last few years had been roughed. But it allowed her children and her to grow closer. Never before had she appreciated them as much as now. Now, they were all they had. And her children, who had so recently seemed toddlers and infants, or even still in the womb, were gorwing up. Kate was a capable young woman, Doug was to be a great attorney (he always argued well with her anyway), Greg graduating, and Brett persisting to be a naval officer. What a family! It had started with a mistake, but it wound up being the best thing that had happened to her. She could honeslty say she would never take back all the hardships if it mean not having these blessings.

Nick poked his head in through the kitchen door. "Katie, can your darling mother spare you for a moment?" He flashed a grin at Maria. She smiled at him warmly. Nick was like a son to her, also. He was around often, and he loved her so much too. He was another blessing to be counted.

Kate took off her apron and set it on the back of a chair, smoothing her hair down. She followed Nick out to a secluded area in the busy and crowded yard, and watched him as he perched on the edge of the fence. She leaned against it next to him, looking at him questioningly.

"Kate, I'm off to camp in two days. I've got the perfect room for you. We need to hurry, we don't have much time. I'll show it to you, but you have to promise not let my parents know about it. Thye don't usually check my accounts, but, you know…"

"Nick," she scooted closer to him, "I'll do whatever you want me to. I love you."

Nick looked at her, and touched her face. He lifted her lips to his, and smiled contentadly. "You know, I am beginning to think this is a good idea."

"And the house?"

"Well, its just a room, but its big. I'll show it to you tonight, if you want."

"When?"

"Ten…say you are going to spend the night at your friends. I hate lying to your parents…well…at least your mum, but it's the only thing we can do in a situation like this."

She nodded, looking troubled.

"Katie?"

Kate leaned against him, and felt his arms go around her as she closed her eyes. "Its going to be a hard adjustment, Nick. I'm not sure I can do it. I mean, I want to, but I don't know if I can ….well…mom, and the boys, and all. But I'll have you." She looked up at him, and he smiled.

"You'll always have me, Katie. No matter who else, abadones you, betrays you, whatever, I will be here with you every step of your life."

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Sorry it was shorter than it should have been…I'm at home alone with one sick kid, and two healthy and fully energeized kids. Plus NCIS will be on in thirty minutes! Lol….